[GUIDE] Mac Root (tested)

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Apr 17, 2013
6
5
Sumsung Galaxy

This guide is for the select few that need to root their Samsung Galaxy S4 via Mac.

This guide only shows how to swap kernels in order for you to run motochopper then swap back to stock kernel.

Please keep in mind this is technical and involves using manual commands for heimdall in terminal.

If you have anything to add or have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

I have tested this method using Heimdall on my Windows 7 machine.

I do not own a Mac to fully test this.

I am not an expert nor do I portray myself to be one.

I am not responsible to any problems from this method including bricking any devices, loss of data, or other issues that may arise with your device or computer. (Just to cover my behind.);)

Things you need:
1. Heimdall
2. 423399 kernel boot.img (MD5: cd49d9c337d624abec5f6f1229e1abf6)
3. 562219 kernel boot.img (MD5: 3c776b87c2c1390787189e60d311c769)
4. Motochopper Root Exploit Tool
5. Drivers can be installed by installing Kies

First install Heimdall.

And make sure you have the drivers installed.

Make sure you have the 423399 kernel boot.img (MD5: cd49d9c337d624abec5f6f1229e1abf6) in an easy place to find and make sure you keep it seperate from the 562219 kernel boot.img (MD5: 3c776b87c2c1390787189e60d311c769).


If you have Kies installed, uninstall it.
Then open the heimdall-frontend application that was installed with heimdall.
Use the heimdall-frontend app to detect the device by going to Utilites > Detect.

Next open a terminal type
Code:
sudo heimdall flash --BOOT
Enter your password.
The prerelease kernel will be flashed and your device will reboot.

Go to Settings > More > About phone
and check to make sure your kernel version is 423399.

Then go into Settings > More > About phone > tap "Build number" about 7 times until it unlocks Developer options
Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "USB debugging" checked.
Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "Verify apps via USB" unchecked.
Verify in Security setting on your device that you have "Unknown sources" checked.
Verify in Security setting on your device that you have "Verify apps" unchecked.
Extract the motochopper.zip file.
Open terminal, navigate to the motochopper folder and type
Code:
sudo chmod +x run.sh
Then type
Code:
sudo ./run.sh
Follow the on screen prompts.
After you are rooted, make sure you update the su binaries.
Otherwise you will lose root later on.
Next boot your phone into download mode in order to put the stock kernel back.

Open the heimdall-frontend application and detect your device once again. (Utilities > Detect)
Next open a terminal and type
Code:
sudo heimdall flash --BOOT  More > About phone
and make sure the stock 562219 kernel is installed.


Credits go to djrbliss, chainsdd, Samsung, creators of Heimdall, and if I missed anybody please let me know and I will add them to it.
Thanks to [URL="http://xdaforums.com/member.php?u=3597789"]Doppletronica[/URL] for confirming the method.

EDIT: If this thread now belongs somewhere else due to its nature, please move it mods.
           Also anybody is free to share this guide, just link them to this thread and please give credit where credit is due.
           Thanks.[/QUOTE]

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Clubvegas999
 
Jan 26, 2012
8
0
So I've followed all the instructions and it said root was success but when I reinstall the stock kernel it says that I don't have root access when I test it using Root Checker. Any ideas?
 

klabit87

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2011
3,012
2,279
You have to update superuser and the su binaries before flashing the stock kernel back on.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.
 

klabit87

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2011
3,012
2,279
I updated superuser from the play store but that was it. Is there something else I need to do to update the binaries?

Open the superuser app and it will prompt you to update the su binaries.

When it gives you a choice between doing it with twrp or the normal way, choose the normal way.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.
 
Jan 26, 2012
8
0
Open the superuser app and it will prompt you to update the su binaries.

When it gives you a choice between doing it with twrp or the normal way, choose the normal way.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.
Okay, thank. Trying again now.

---------- Post added at 12:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:24 PM ----------

Open the superuser app and it will prompt you to update the su binaries.

When it gives you a choice between doing it with twrp or the normal way, choose the normal way.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.
Tried it again. Updated it and opened the app and nothing happens. Is there another way to update the binaries?
 

klabit87

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2011
3,012
2,279
I've always had mine do it automatically.
I'm not sure about how to update manually.
What is the su version number?
It should be somewhere in the settings.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.
 

klabit87

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2011
3,012
2,279
I have 1.23 there should be a way to update it manually from the app.
You may need to ask around or Google it.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.
 

klabit87

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2011
3,012
2,279
You could try installing supersu and see if it will update from there.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.
 

klabit87

Senior Member
Jul 11, 2011
3,012
2,279
No problem. Glad you got it working for you.

Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.
 

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  • 2
    This guide is for the select few that need to root their Samsung Galaxy S4 via Mac.

    This guide only shows how to swap kernels in order for you to run motochopper then swap back to stock kernel.

    Please keep in mind this is technical and involves using manual commands for heimdall in terminal.

    If you have anything to add or have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

    I have tested this method using Heimdall on my Windows 7 machine.

    I do not own a Mac to fully test this.

    I am not an expert nor do I portray myself to be one.

    I am not responsible to any problems from this method including bricking any devices, loss of data, or other issues that may arise with your device or computer. (Just to cover my behind.);)

    Things you need:
    1. Heimdall
    2. prerelease kernel boot.img (MD5: cd49d9c337d624abec5f6f1229e1abf6)
    3. stock kernel boot.img (MD5: 3c776b87c2c1390787189e60d311c769)
    4. Motochopper Root Exploit Tool
    5. Drivers can be installed by installing Kies

    First install Heimdall.

    And make sure you have the drivers installed.

    Make sure you have the prerelease kernel boot.img (MD5: cd49d9c337d624abec5f6f1229e1abf6) in an easy place to find and make sure you keep it seperate from the stock kernel boot.img (MD5: 3c776b87c2c1390787189e60d311c769).


    If you have Kies installed, uninstall it.
    Then open the heimdall-frontend application that was installed with heimdall.
    Use the heimdall-frontend app to detect the device by going to Utilites > Detect.

    Next open a terminal type
    Code:
    sudo heimdall flash --BOOT <full path to prerelease kernel>
    Enter your password.
    The prerelease kernel will be flashed and your device will reboot.

    Go to Settings > More > About phone
    and check to make sure your kernel version is 423399.

    Then go into Settings > More > About phone > tap "Build number" about 7 times until it unlocks Developer options
    Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "USB debugging" checked.
    Verify in Developer options setting on your device that you have "Verify apps via USB" unchecked.
    Verify in Security setting on your device that you have "Unknown sources" checked.
    Verify in Security setting on your device that you have "Verify apps" unchecked.
    Extract the motochopper.zip file.
    Open terminal, navigate to the motochopper folder and type
    Code:
    sudo chmod +x run.sh
    Then type
    Code:
    sudo ./run.sh
    Follow the on screen prompts.
    After you are rooted, make sure you update the su binaries.
    Otherwise you will lose root later on.
    Next boot your phone into download mode in order to put the stock kernel back.

    Open the heimdall-frontend application and detect your device once again. (Utilities > Detect)
    Next open a terminal and type
    Code:
    sudo heimdall flash --BOOT <full path to stock kernel>
    Then go to Settings > More > About phone
    and make sure the stock 562219 kernel is installed.


    Credits go to djrbliss, chainsdd, Samsung, creators of Heimdall, and if I missed anybody please let me know and I will add them to it.
    Thanks to Doppletronica for confirming the method.

    If you found this guide helpful please hit the thanks button ;)

    EDIT: If this thread now belongs somewhere else due to its nature, please move it mods.
    Also anybody is free to share this guide, just link them to this thread and please give credit where credit is due.
    Thanks.
    2
    I was wondering if someone can help me. I keep getting this error message:

    Initialising connection...
    Detecting device...
    Claiming interface...
    libusbx: error [darwin_claim_interface] USBInterfaceOpen: another process has device opened for exclusive access
    ERROR: Claiming interface failed!
    patxp:desktop ArmandoOrona$

    I uninstalled kies and android file transfer and restarted mac. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    I got this same error. What I did was uninstall kies and then open the heimdall-frontend app that was installed with heimdall, and use it to detect the phone. (In Utilities->Detect) From there I could run the command line part successfully. Worked for me.
    1
    You can unroot it the same way you root. Use Heimdall.
    1
    You can unroot it the same way you root. Use Heimdall.

    Thanks. I knew I was making it harder than it was supposed to be.

    I was really only interested in the root guide since a good few people were asking about it.

    Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.
    1
    So just to clarify, are you saying the whole process worked for you?
    Whereas you successfully rooted your phone?

    Sent from my Verizon Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2.

    Yep. Once I got the kernel to flash okay, The rooting process worked flawlessly.